handy launches in South Africa to revolutionise travel and hospitality

Tink Labs Limited has announced its launch in the South African market to offer handy, a revolutionary hospitality IoT solution designed to uplift ancillary revenue, guest satisfaction and drive better cost efficiencies for hoteliers. handy, first launched in September 2012, is a complimentary amenity that combines an in-room guest services platform to interact with hotels and an enabler to hassle-free travel experience.

‘With handy, a first-of-its-kind technology in Africa, it will serve as an integrative platform to fulfill hoteliers’ mission to enable better engagement, services and loyalty between guests and hotels. Our launch will further demonstrate handy’s unique offering in transforming hospitality and tourism at a global scale,’ said Terence Kwok, Founder and CEO of Tink Labs.

The tourism and hospitality industry in South Africa continues to thrive vibrantly with an overall foreign overnight visitors increased by 12.8 per cent in 2016. handy presents a suite of tools and call-to-action functions that reshapes the way hotels engage, communicate and cater to guests and their modern travel needs.

‘A mobile-first strategy has become more critical than ever for an enriched travel experience in today’s digital age. Today, handy will connect travelers so they can enjoy South Africa as a premier travel destination, reveal local gems on the go and share their experiences,’ said Steven To, the Managing Director for Africa of Tink Labs.

One of the first partners of handy in South Africa, Michelle De Faria, General Manager at Gardenia Boutique Hotel, said, ‘At Gardenia Boutique Hotel, our guests seek for unique travel experiences and ultimate convenience when they explore the city. With the partnership with handy, we are able to increase the engagement with them, understand and address their needs in a deeper level, leading to boost their loyalty and satisfaction.’

Guests who now stay at handy’s hotel partners in South Africa will enjoy the use of handy at no cost. Visitors will be able to stay connected with free local and international calls, internet access, speed dialling to hotel services, as well as access to local emergency services and essential travel information. Travelers can also explore customised city guides, curated by experienced content provider LUXOS, to discover new experiences anytime, anywhere.

To-date, handy is already available in 70 cities, covering 500 000 rooms and helped 18 million global travelers to stay connected. The service is a trusted partner of other leading hotel groups including AccorHotels, Intercontinental, Sheraton, and more.